The web series “Escorts,” will be among the films at the third annual Sunscreen Film Festival West, set for Oct.2-4 in Hermosa Beach.

Priscilla Barnes stars in the short film “Turkey,” by Erik Linhorst. The film is one of nearly 80 movies that make up the Sunscreen Film Festival West, happening Oct. 2-4 in Hermosa Beach. Photo courtesy Erik Linhorst.

When it comes to film genres, the upcoming Sunscreen Film Festival West is all over the place with a weekend lineup that includes dramas, short films, documentaries, romantic comedies, horror flicks and even web series.

Still, while the lineup may be eclectic, the main focus of the third annual festival is clear.

“It’s not a festival where you’re seeing big studio type directors and filmmakers,” said festival director Robert Enriquez. “It’s more independent people who have taken the independent route, found the independent financing and made a film and are hoping to get exposure so they can move on to the next level of filmmaking.”

The three-day film festival, which originated in Florida and launched its local edition in the South Bay in 2013, will feature close to 80 films at the Hermosa Beach Community Theater.

The festival’s opening film is “Next Goal Wins,” the true story of the worst soccer team in the world: the 2001 Samoan soccer team who lost 31-0 during a match against Australia in 2001.

The team has only scored twice in 17 years and, at the time, had lost every game it had ever played. The film chronicles their attempt to qualify for the 2014 World Cup with the help of a Dutch coach who had no idea what he was getting into.

“It just shows how this community bonded together and made this team and never gave up,” Enriquez said. It’s a very inspirational really wonderful film.”

Other standout films include the documentary “7 Days in Syria” and the short film called “This Way Up.”

The first is shines light the struggles of families in Syria, while the latter is a 27-minute film about a homeless man who lives in the storm drains beneath the Las Vegas strip but creates a fake life in order to hide the truth from his daughter.

“This Way Up,” which screens Saturday, was written and directed by Jeremy Cloe, a film student who just won a Student Academy Award for the film.

“We’re really excited to get him on board. Not only is this film incredible, but as he moves forward he’s going to be a very reputable filmmaker,” Enriquez said.

Fans of the 1980s comedy “Three’s Company,” will recognize the star of “Turkey,” a dramedy by Manhattan Beach screenwriter and first-time filmmaker Erik Linthorst. The 17-minute short screens Saturday and is about a dysfunctional family on Thanksgiving. It stars Priscilla Barnes who is best known for her role as Terri, one of the roommates on “Three’s Company.”

While he’s been a screenwriter for years, Linthorst said he’s been wanting to branch out into filmmaking. He shot “Turkey” in four days with a 17-person crew funded by the money in his savings account.

“I’m hoping it’s a stepping stone to directing a feature film in the future,” Linthorst said.

The festival will also include Q&A sessions and panels with industry professionals who will share their experience with younger filmmakers.

But what sets Sunscreen Film Festival West apart from other local festivals, Enriquez noted, is its focus on web material.

“We focus on a lot of new filmmakers who are making their projects geared towards the Internet,” he said.

Among the new filmmakers focusing on the web are Dave Patten and David Ricks, co-creators of the web series “Escorts,” available on YouTube. The black comedy stars Patten as a college student running an escort service on campus.

The festival culminates Sunday with an awards show for films competing in categories like Narrative Feature, Animated Short and Web Series.